Classic white sandwich bread is a timeless favorite, loved for its soft texture and mild flavor. This versatile bread is perfect for making sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying on its own. Made with simple ingredients like flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, it’s easy to whip up a fresh loaf at home. Whether you’re packing a lunch, making a hearty breakfast, or simply craving a comforting snack, classic white sandwich bread is sure to hit the spot.
Step-by-step: Easy Homemade Sandwich Bread
Yeast mixture– In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the warm water (110F), instant yeast, sugar, and olive oil. Flour – In the large bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, add the flour and salt. Stir to combine. Then add the warm milk and yeast mixture. Combine with a wooden spoon or dough whisk. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all dry flour is incorporated. Knead – Continue to knead the dough on medium speed for 8 to 110 minutes. Add the room-temperature butter and knead for 4 to 5 minutes more. Pro tip -You can also knead the dough by hand on a work surface for 18 to 20 minutes. Rse – Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and leave it to rise on the counter for up to 60 to 90 minutes or until double in volume.
Shape – When the dough is double in volume, transfer it to a well-dusted floured surface. De-gas, reshape into a ball. Shape each portion into a tight roll. To do this correctly, flatten the dough on an un-floured surface. Fold the top and two sides in. Then roll towards you into a sausage or log shape.Pro-tip – at this point there is no need for additional flour. So use a light dusting of flour. Proof (second rise) – Place the shaped log in an 8-inch loaf pan. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth or plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for about 45 minutes until almost double in size.Pro tip – Spray the plastic wrap with oil to prevent it from sticking to the rolls.
Bake
Oven & Pan – When the bread is almost double in volume at about 30 minutes, preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C / Gas Mark 5. Grease the right size loaf pan with butter (ingredients given for 9-inch as well as 13-inch loaf pan)Pro tip – you can also use an oil spray for the loaf pan, however, the butter will give a wonderful golden crust with a tender crumb. Bake on the middle rack until lightly golden on top. The 9-inch loaf will take about 40 to 50 minutes while the 13-inch loaf will take about 60 to 70 minutes. If the top of the sandwich bread is getting too dark, tent it with aluminum foil. When baked brush with melted butter.Pro tip – This is optional but adds a nice flavor and keeps the top crust soft. Cool – Take it out of the pan and cool it on the wire rack. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel for at least 10 minutes to keep the loaf softPro tip – Do not leave the bread in the pan for too long as the steam will make the bread soggy on the bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Creative variations
Herb and Cheese Bread: Add dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano, along with grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese to the dough before shaping it into a loaf. The herbs and cheese will add a savory flavor to the bread. Honey Whole Wheat Bread: Substitute some of the bread flour with whole wheat flour and replace the sugar with honey. This will result in a slightly denser and sweeter loaf with a nutty flavor from the whole wheat flour. Seeded Bread: Add a variety of seeds such as sesame, poppy, sunflower, or flax seeds to the dough for a nutritious and crunchy texture. You can also sprinkle the seeds on top of the loaf before baking. Cinnamon Swirl Bread: Roll out the dough into a rectangle, sprinkle it with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, then roll it up and place it in the loaf pan. This will create a swirl of cinnamon throughout the bread, perfect for toast or French toast. Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Bread: Add chopped black olives and sun-dried tomatoes to the dough for a Mediterranean twist. This bread pairs well with salads and pasta dishes. Garlic and Herb Breadsticks: Shape the dough into breadsticks instead of a loaf and brush them with a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, and dried herbs before baking. These breadsticks are great for dipping in marinara sauce or soups. Pumpkin Spice Bread: Add pumpkin puree and a blend of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the dough for a flavorful fall-inspired bread. This bread is delicious toasted and spread with cream cheese. Chocolate Chip Bread: Fold chocolate chips into the dough before shaping it into a loaf for a sweet treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Creative ways to use sandwich bread!
French Toast: Make delicious French toast with thick slices of sandwich bread. Dip the bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon, then cook until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Bread Pudding: Stale sandwich bread is perfect for making bread pudding. Tear the bread into pieces, soak it in a custard mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, then bake until set. Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Bread Crumbs: Use stale bread to make homemade bread crumbs. Simply pulse the bread in a food processor until finely ground. Use the bread crumbs to coat chicken or fish before baking or frying, or sprinkle them on top of casseroles for a crunchy topping. Panini: Use sandwich bread to make delicious panini sandwiches. Fill the bread with your favorite meats, cheeses, and vegetables, then grill until the bread is crispy and the filling is hot and melty. Bread Pizzas: Use sandwich bread as a base for mini pizzas. Top the bread with tomato sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Bread Croutons: Cut sandwich bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and your favorite herbs, then bake until crispy. Use the croutons to top salads or soups for added crunch. Bread Stuffing: Use sandwich bread to make homemade stuffing for your holiday meals. Tear the bread into pieces, mix with sautéed onions, celery, herbs, and broth, then bake until golden brown and crispy on top.
Thank you for sharing - Save for later